Leeds United favourite Pontus Jansson targets starring role with Sweden

LEEDS UNITED’S man of the moment Pontus Jansson has set his sights on excelling for Sweden, declaring: “Now is also my chance with the national team.”

Jansson has proved a revelation since joining Leeds on a season-long loan from Torino in the summer and the centre-back put in another imperious display during Saturday’s 3-2 victory at Norwich City, a result which propelled United into the Championship’s top six.

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The 6ft 5ins defender capped a fine display with his first goal for Leeds - and then set his sights on making more progress with his national team as he prepared to fly out for the international break.

Jansson, 25, has made eight appearances for Sweden but the defender has been an unused substitute for his country’s last three World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Holland.

The Leeds loanee now hopes that is about to change ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier in France and next Tuesday’s friendly international in Hungary.

“On Monday I go to Malaga to prepare for the game against France with the international team,” said Jansson.

“If I don’t play against France then we have a friendly against Hungary two or three days after.

“In one of them I am going to play so now is also my chance with the national team.”